California Man Survives Two Days Trapped Behind a Waterfall Before Dramatic Rescue up
A 46-year-old adventurer from Long Beach, California, lived through a terrifying ordeal after becoming trapped behind a raging waterfall for nearly two days before being pulled to safety by rescuers.
On August 10, Ryan Wardwell set out to explore the famous Seven Teacups waterfalls, a rugged series of cascades along the Kern River that attract thrill-seekers from across the state. Wardwell, an experienced climber who had rappelled the falls before, intended to rope his way down. But this time, powerful surging waters knocked him off his rappel lines, forcing him into a small cave hidden behind the waterfall’s curtain.
Completely soaked, with no way to dry off or escape, Wardwell endured freezing conditions and isolation. His friends, who had accompanied him partway before turning back after witnessing the dangerous currents, left a note on his car warning that if it was still there the next day, he was likely in trouble.
When Wardwell never returned that night, search teams launched a rescue effort on August 11. Using aircraft and infrared scanners, they scoured the rugged canyon terrain, but fading daylight cut the operation short. It wasn’t until the next day that a drone flight revealed Wardwell’s location behind the pounding cascade.
“He had been fighting to get out for two days, but there was simply no way through,” Tulare County Sheriff’s Captain Kevin Kemmerling told reporters. “There was no way for him to warm up or dry out—it must have been miserable.”
A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew swooped in for the rescue, battling heavy spray and swirling air currents to reach him. In a dramatic moment captured on video, Wardwell was hoisted to safety as the chopper’s blades whipped water and branches around the falls.
Miraculously, Wardwell suffered only dehydration and minor injuries. He was treated at the scene before reuniting with his family, who had rushed to the area in fear for his life.
Paramedic Mike Crane, part of the helicopter rescue team, later admitted he wasn’t sure Wardwell believed he’d ever make it out alive. “I got the sense that maybe he thought he was stuck there for good,” Crane said.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office called the rescue a “stunning survival story” and used the incident as a reminder for others who seek adventure in wild places. “Always know your limits and respect the power of whitewater rivers,” their statement read. “Stay safe, stay smart, and stay alive.”
The Seven Teacups, located about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, remain a remote but popular destination for thrill-seekers. For Wardwell, what began as another daring climb turned into a life-threatening test of endurance—one he survived thanks to quick-thinking friends and a determined rescue team.
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